title: Carotenoid and mineral content of different morphotypes of Centella asiatica L. (Gotukola).
abstract: Six morphotypes of Centella asiatica designated G(1), G(2), G(3), G(7), G(8) and G(12) were analyzed for carotenoid content, proximate components and selected dietary minerals. Potassium was found to be the major element present in C. asiatica and the content in G(1) and G(3) (6,165.0 ± 125.8 mg/100 g dry weight) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than all other morphotypes. C. asiatica is more popular for its higher contents of iron and calcium. However, no significant (P>0.05) differences in calcium content among the morphotypes were observed. The imported variety G(7) had significantly higher (P < 0.05) mean content of iron (74.3 ± 34.1 mg/100 g dry weight). The morphotypes G(8) and G(12) contained significantly higher (P < 0.05) content of β-carotene (77.2 ± 5.1 μg/g fresh weight) and lutein (133.5 ± 10.1 μg/g, fresh weight) respectively. Lutein and β-carotene levels of these two types were also significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in the other varieties. The study did not provide any evidence to believe that a given morphotype is superior to another in its overall nutritional value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. udumalagala2002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: U G
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Chandrika
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salim
authors.forename: G D D J
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Wijepala
authors.forename: K S U
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.forename: A K E
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Goonetilleke
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000737:chemistry*; D028041:Centella / Q000737:chemistry*; D005504:Food Analysis; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D002338:Carotenoids